In the Champions League, caution is the word, because considering this is the final round of group matches, you might find teams who have already qualified fielding weakened teams. With that said, let’s take a look at the action, starting with Tuesday’s games…
Chelsea have a fantastic record at home, BUT they’ve already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League as group winners, so there’s nothing for them to fight for. Unlike their opponents Valencia, who still have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Plus, Chelsea have a big game on Sunday against Arsenal, so you’d think Avram Grant will be wanting to save his best players for that game.
Marseille only need a point at home against Liverpool, provided that Porto don’t lose to Besiktas, which they really shouldn’t do. So with that being the case, I have to avoid Liverpool, as well. Yes, last Saturday aside, they have been playing some fantastic football recently – but like I said, Marseille are at home and all they need is a draw. The ball really is in their court with this one. I don’t know which way it’s going to go.
In the same group, Porto should see off Besiktas at home to ensure that they finish top of the group. In the Portuguese Liga, Porto have won five and drawn one of their six home games this season, scoring ten and conceding only one. Besiktas have lost both of their Champions League away fixtures this time round and I fully expect Porto to make it three. Get on them at 4/9 with most firms.
Real Madrid, who are a best priced 2/5 with Ladbrokes, SkyBet and Stan James, should see off Lazio to guarantee top spot. Madrid have won all seven of their home games in Primera Liga this season. They’ve also won both of home games in the Champions League in this current campaign. I can’t see Lazio making a dent on their outstanding home record.
Wednesday now, and Arsenal’s game is a tricky one to call. You’d think they’d want to go out and win their final game so that they have a chance of finishing top of the group. They’ll especially want to get back to winning ways after the weekend, plus they have a fantastic record at the Emirates. Will they have one eye on Sunday, though? I’d check the team news on this one first, but I think I’ll be avoiding this one.
The same goes for Manchester United, who have already qualified as group winners and take on Roma. Fergie’s plan was to beat Sporting Lisbon last time out so that he could rest some players before the big game against Liverpool on Sunday. That happened, of course, so I won’t be backing an under strength United.
Fenerbache should do the business at home to CSKA Moscow, who are bottom of the group with one point. Fenerbache, however, need to win to ensure that they join group winners Inter Milan in the next stage. I’d be massively shocked if they didn’t get the three points. They’re a best priced 1/3 with Stan James.
Rangers need a point at home to Lyon to join rivals Celtic in the next stages of the Champions League. Rangers, of course, won 3-0 when these two teams met in France a month or so ago. I think it’s safe to say it’ll be a lot closer than that this time round, as Lyon seem very pumped up and focused on the task at hand. I expect Rangers to qualify, but I don’t know whether they’ll do it by winning or holding Lyon to a draw, so I’m giving this one a miss.
That about covers it for the Champions League. The rest of the games are either far too close to call, involve teams who have already qualified or teams who have nothing to play for. Like I said, be very careful with your selections this week.
The only team who I fancy in the FA Cup is Southend, who host Oxford in a second round replay. Southend will be without the inspirational Leon Clarke due to terms surrounding his loan agreement, but I think they should still have too much for the Blue Square Premier outfit. Back them at a best priced 4/9 with BetDirect, BetFred and SkyBet.
In the Championship, Owen Coyle and his very much in form Burnley outfit should do the business against rock bottom QPR. Since taking over, Burnley have won three and drawn one. They’ve pulled off some very impressive victories, too. They’ve gone to both Watford and Wolves and taken three points, which is no small feat at all. Yes, their best form lies away from home, but they should prove to be too strong for QPR, who are dismal travelers. Get on them at 8/11 with BetDirect. Cracking value.
Celtic, who slipped up at the weekend, won’t want to drop anymore points as they host Falkirk in the SPL. I know I said it on Saturday, but I can’t see Celtic dropping points here – especially after Saturday. They’re 2/9 with Ladbrokes.
In the Carling Cup, West Ham take on Everton at Upton Park on Wednesday night. Assuming they both field strong teams, this should be quite a cracking contest and one I wouldn’t like to call.
It’s time for a recap:
Porto (4/9 with most firms)
Real Madrid (2/5 with Ladbrokes, SkyBet and Stan James)
Fenerbache (1/3 with Stan James)
Southend (4/9 with BetDirect, BetFred and SkyBet)
Burnley (8/11 with BetDirect)
Celtic (2/9 with Ladbrokes)
Just the six teams this time, then. You can get 7.36/1 for those six in an accumulator with BetDirect. Not cracking odds, I know, but there’s not an awful lot of value around this week. Apart from Burnley, that is. I think 8/11 for them represents terrific value. I thought Ipswich looked good value at 10/11 too, but I have a suspicion that’ll end up in a draw. Leicester have drawn six of their nine away games so far this season, conceding only seven. I think it’ll be a very, very close game.
Anyway, as always, I wish good luck to you and your selections.
I’ll be back on Thursday night, perhaps Friday afternoon, with a full preview of the weekend action.
Until then, take care.
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Do You Think Barcelona And Sporting Lisbon Would Be Able To See Off Both Dynamo Kiev And Stuttgart
Hi Thomas, thanks for the comment.
You’d think both Barcelona and Lisbon would win, given the form and placing in the table of their opponents, but I’m always cautious at this stage of the competition.
At any other time, I’d definitely back both of them to win – but given that Barcelona nor Sporting have nothing to play for, as Barcelona have qualified as group winners and Sporting have their UEFA Cup place guaranteed, I can’t definitely say they’ll do the business and win. I’m not saying they both won’t win, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they do, but personally I wouldn’t like to place money on them – unless it’s only a couple of quid.
I hate to be vague, but that’s the way I see it. I’d much rather focus on the teams that have something to play for, as you don’t know for sure what you’re going to get with Barcelona and Sporting. You don’t know whether they’ll rest their best players, like Chelsea and Manchester United are doing. My advice would be to check the team news first, before placing any bets.
Barcelona, at a best priced 4/9, aren’t particularly great value, anyway. I don’t think it’s worth the risk at that price.
I hope that helps, but good luck either way.